Nappa is exploring the possibility of renewed geothermal heat production in the California horticultural area in northern Limburg. The company was founded in mid-2022 by three horticultural entrepreneurs from Limburg.
Recently, Nappa bought the geothermal heat source from CLG, known as California Lipzig Gielen Geothermie (it concerns the wells CAL-GT-04 and CAL-GT-05). Simultaneously with the transfer of the well, the extraction license was also transferred to Nappa.
At the industry association Geothermie Nederland, of which Nappa has become a member, Frank Verhoeven of Nappa's project team introduced himself and explained the plans.
What does Nappa do in the field of geothermal energy?
Nappa is investigating the possibility of renewed geothermal heat production in the California horticultural area (northern Limburg), an area with so-called fractured rocks in geological layers that are naturally under tension. To this end, a major geological survey program called Safegeo was launched in April 2023. Should the research show that geothermal heat can be extracted safely and responsibly, it could potentially lead to sustainable heat extraction in the area.
The aim of the study (which runs until Q3 of 2024) is to use new data and models to determine the seismic threat posed by the application of geothermal heat and to arrive at practical agreements and protocols to manage seismic risk. Stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs and SSM, are proactively informed and involved in the study to jointly work towards the next phase, being the production and injection of geothermal heat in a controlled test.
What is your role in this?
As project manager, I managed the project team that I formed with the owners of Nappa in Q3 2022. The project team consists of a number of highly experienced professionals. Most of you will, I suspect, already know many of the members of the project team. They are Saskia Hagedoorn, Radboud Vorage, Duco Drenth and Wouter Botermans.
I myself have been active as a business consultant and project manager in horticulture via Elsman International Consultants for more than 17 years, and in that capacity, I came and still come into frequent contact with energy and heat issues and with companies and organizations active in these areas.
Source: Geothermie Nederland